Power inserter module

ABSTRACT

A power inserter module includes an FIC male first port for a direct connection without use of cable to a female F-type output port of a DC source of power, an F-type female second port for connection to an RF amplifier to provide DC power thereto and receive RF signals therefrom, an F-type female connector third port for delivering the RF signals to a subscriber, and an electrical circuit for both connecting DC power from the first port to the second port while blocking RF signals from the first port, and connecting RF signals from the second port to the third port while blocking DC power from the latter.

RELATED APPLICATION

This Application is related to Provisional Application 60/708,622, filedon Aug. 16, 2005, for “Power Inserter Module,” the teachings of whichare incorporated herein by reference to the extent that they do notconflict herewith.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related generally to cable television devices,and more specifically to power inserter devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Power inserter devices are utilized in cable television (CATV), wireless(e.g., MMDS), satellite reception and other communication systems.Conventional power inserter devices typically require jumper cables forsupporting proper implementation. However, the use of such jumper cablesincreases installation space and the number of connections needed, andfurther introduces uwanted cable bends, all of which can adverselydiminish performance and reliability of the power inserter device.

Accordingly, there is a need for a power inserter designed to overcomethe problems associated with conventional power inserter devices. Thereis a further need for a power inserter that eliminates the need forjumper cables, thereby reducing the number of connections, avoidingunwanted cable bends, and minimizing installation space for an enhancedinterface connection.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a power inserter module including meansfor directly connecting the module without use of cabling to a DC powersupply, means for coupling the power to an RF amplifier, and means forcoupling RF signals from the amplifier, while blocking DC power to anoutput port connected, for example, to a subscriber's television set, orconverter, or modem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a circuit schematic diagram for one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows the mechanical layout and interconnection of circuitcomponents and a ground shield within a module housing for an embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a block schematic diagram of a typical cable antennatelevision system installation including the power inserter module ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a top pictorial view of a housing and associated ports forone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 shows a closeup pictorial view of an unique FIC port for oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a standard home installation pictorial view not having thebenefit of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view of a home installation including the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a curve showing the insertion loss between the two RF portsfor a power inserter module for one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a curve showing the return loss characteristics for anAmplifier DC/RF port for the power inserter of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a curve showing isolation characteristics for transmissionloss versus frequency between the two RF ports for the power insertermodule of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 11 is a curve of the return loss at the RF output port for thepower inserter module relative to FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, the present power inserter module 2 in oneembodiment of the invention includes an inductor L1 connected from amale pin 7 of a DC power port 6, to a female socket 1 of an RF and DCpower port 4, for coupling DC power from a DC power supply (not shown)connected to port 6 to an amplifier connected to port 4. A capacitor C2is connected between the end of the inductor L1 connected to a male pin7 of port 6 and ground, whereby the inductor L1 provides a relativelyhigh impedance to RF signals from the amplifier substantially preventingthe signals from reaching the DC power port 6, and the capacitor C2shunts to ground RF signals that may travel through inductor L1. As aresult, the combination of the high impedance of conductor L1 to RFsignals, and the low impedance to RF signals provided by capacitor C2,effectively prevent RF signals from passing to the DC power port 6 andtherefrom to a DC power supply connected thereto. A capacitor C1 isconnected between the other end of conductor L1 and a female socket 9 ofa subscriber RF port 8 for both passing RF signals from the amplifierprovided via port 4, while effectively blocking DC voltage from thesubscriber port 8, thereby protecting a subscriber's TV, or modem, orother device that may be connected to port 8 for receiving the RFsignals.

With reference to FIG. 4, the housing 5 and ports 4, 6, and 8,respectively, for a power inserter module 2 for one embodiment of theinvention are shown. An FIC connector is used to provide the port 6, andpermits the power inserter module 2 to be directly connected to a powersupply 20 (see FIG. 7) without use of any connecting cables. Port 4, forconnection to an amplifier for supplying DC voltage thereto, and forreceiving RF signals from the amplifier, is provided by an F-type femaleport, for example. Port 8 for providing RF signals to each subscriber'stelevision or modem, for example, is also provided by an F-type femaleport, in this example. Note that the use of F-type female ports is notmeant to be limiting, and they can in certain applications be maleports, for example.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of a power port 6 utilizing a male FICconnector.

FIG. 6 is a pictorial view of a standard home installation requiring acable 19 to be connected from a DC power supply 20 to a power inserter22 having a cable connection 24 to an amplifier for providing powerthereto, and another cable 26 for supplying RF signals to a subscriber'stelevision set or modem.

FIG. 7 is a pictorial view showing the improvement in both theappearance and reliability provided by the power inserter module 2 ofthe present invention, whereby its male FIC port 6 is directly connectedto an F-type female port 40 of the DC power supply 20. The DC/RF port 4has an F-type female port directly connected to a male connector 28 ofcable 24 for providing power to an amplifier (not shown) connected atthe other end of cable 24, and receives RF signals from the amplifier,as previously mentioned. Also, port 8 has an F-type female portconnected to a male F-type connector 29 at one end of cable 26, forproviding RF signals to a subscriber. Cable 19 of FIG. 6 is eliminated.

In one embodiment of the invention, the inductor L1 is 10 millihenrys(mh), capacitor C1 is 2200 picofarads (pf), and capacitor C2 is 5600picofarads (pf). With reference to FIG. 2, the capacitors C1 and C2 arephysically mounted within the housing 5 for power inserter module 2 asshown, and interconnected as shown to inductor L1, otherwiseelectrically interconnections are as previously described. A groundshield 3 is used in the central interior portion of the housing 5 forproviding RF radiation shielding for Power Supply port 6 to furtherprotect a DC power supply connected thereto from RF associated withports 4 and 8. Note that the shield 3 typically consists offerromagnetic material. The values of capacitor C1, C2, and inductor L1,as indicated herein from tests made in an engineering prototype are notmeant to be limiting, and can in certain applications be other than thevalues provided herein.

FIG. 3 shows the present power inserter module 2 connected into atypical installation, that includes a cable antenna televisionsubscriber amplifier 10 having an input port 12 for receiving RF signalsfrom a cable television system, a power port 14, and a combined powerport and RF port 16. Port 16 connected by a connector 13 and a jumpercable 18 to port 4 (via connector 11) of the present power insertermodule 2, for both receiving DC power from the latter, and for supplyingRF signals to the latter. In turn power inserter module 2 feeds RFsignals via capacitor C1 to its port 8 for delivery to a subscriber, aspreviously mentioned. Also, as previously mentioned, the DC power FICport 6 of power inserter module 2 is connected directly to a DC powersupply 20 via the latter's port 40. With the values previously given forthe capacitor C1, capacitor C2, and inductor L1, and when used in asystem as shown in FIG. 3, the present power inserter module 2 providesan insertion loss of less than 0.3 dB from 5 MHz to 1000 MHz, a returnloss greater than 25 dB, and an RF isolation to power supply 20 ofgreater than 60 dB. In this regard, FIGS. 8 through 11 show curves ofinsertion loss between ports 4 and 8, return loss DC/RF at port 4, RFisolation between ports 4 and 8, and return loss RF at port 8,respectively. Note that amplifier 10 includes an RF amplifier 34, RFsignal diverters 30 and 36, and DC blocking capacitors 32 and 38, areconnected as shown. Also note that in FIG. 3, power inserter module 2shows an alternative arrangement for the ports, whereby ports 4 and 6are located on opposing ends of power inserter module 2, and port 8 islocated on one side of power inserter module 2.

Although various embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, they are not meant to be limiting. Those of skill in theart may recognize certain modifications to these embodiments, whichmodifications are meant to be covered by the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

1. A power inserter module, comprising: a first port configured fordirect electrical connection therefrom to a source of DC power, withoutuse of electrical cable; a second port configured for connection to anRF amplifier to provide the DC power thereto and receive RF signalstherefrom; a third port configured for connection to a subscriber'sdevice for delivering said RF signals thereto; first electrical circuitmeans for both electrically connecting the DC power from said first portto said second port, while blocking the RF signals received at saidsecond port from being applied to said first port; second electricalcircuit means for both electrically connecting the RF signals from saidsecond port to said third port, while blocking the DC power fromelectrical connection from the first port from reaching said third port;said first port being an FIC male port; said second port being a femaleport; and said third port being an F-type female port.
 2. The powerinserter module of claim 1, further including: a source of referencepotential; said first electrical circuit means includes: an inductorhaving one end connected to said first port, and another end connectedto said second port; and a first capacitor having one end directlyconnected to said one end of said inductor and said first port, andhaving another end connected to said source of reference potential. 3.The power inserter module of claim 2, wherein said second electricalcircuit means includes: a second capacitor directly connected at one endto said another end of said inductor and said second port, and atanother end to said third port.
 4. The power inserter module of claim 3,further including: an RF radiation shield positioned for blocking thetransmission of RF radiation occurring in the vicinity of said secondand third ports from reaching said first port; said first capacitorbeing enclosed by said RF shield proximate said first port; and saidsecond capacitor being located between said RF shield and said secondand third ports.
 5. The power inserter module of claim 4, furtherincluding: said inductor being located between said radiation shield andsaid second port.
 6. The power inserter module of claim 3, furtherincluding: an RF radiation shield positioned for blocking thetransmission of RF radiation occurring in the vicinity of said secondand third ports from reaching said first port; said first capacitorbeing enclosed by said RF shield proximate said first port; and saidsecond capacitor being located between said RF shield and said secondand third ports; and said inductor being located between said radiationshield and said second port.
 7. The power inserter of claim 3, furtherincluding: a housing; said first port being located on one end of saidhousing; said second port being located on an opposing end to said oneend of said housing; and said third port being located on a side of saidhousing between said first and second ports.
 8. The power insertermodule of claim 1, further including an RF radiation shield forshielding said first port from RF radiation occurring in the vicinity ofsaid second and third ports.
 9. The power inserter module of claim 8,wherein said second electrical circuit means is located between said RFradiation shield and said second and third ports.
 10. The power inserterof claim 8, wherein said RF radiation shield consists of ferromagneticmaterial.
 11. The power inserter module of claim 1, further including: ahousing; said first port being located on one side of said housing; saidsecond and third ports being located on an opposite side of said housingin spaced apart relationship.
 12. The power inserter module of claim 11,wherein said housing consists of electrically conductive material. 13.The power inserter of claim 11, wherein said first and second electricalcircuit means are located wholly within said housing.
 14. The powerinserter of claim 13, further including: an RF radiation shield locatedwithin said housing for RF shielding said first port from said secondand third ports.
 15. A power inserter module, comprising: a first portconfigured for direct electrical connection therefrom to a source of DCpower, without use of electrical cable; a second port configured forconnection to an RF amplifier to provide the DC power thereto andreceive RF signals therefrom; a third port configured for connection toa subscriber's device for delivering said RF signals thereto; firstelectrical circuit means for both electrically connecting the DC powerfrom said first port to said second port, while blocking the RF signalsreceived at said second port from being applied to said first port;second electrical circuit means for both electrically connecting the RFsignals from said second port to said third port, while blocking the DCpower from electrical connection from the first port from reaching saidthird port; and an RF radiation shield for shielding said first portfrom RF radiation occurring in the vicinity of said second and thirdports, wherein said second electrical circuit means is located betweensaid RF radiation shield and said second and third ports.
 16. The powerinserter module of claim 15, further including: said first port being anFIC male port; said second port being a female port; and said third portbeing an F-type female port.
 17. The power inserter module of claim 15,further including: a source of reference potential; said firstelectrical circuit means includes: an inductor having one end connectedto said first port, and another end connected to said second port; and afirst capacitor having one end directly connected to said one end ofsaid inductor and said first port, and having another end connected tosaid source of reference potential.
 18. The power inserter module ofclaim 17, wherein said second electrical circuit means includes: asecond capacitor directly connected at one end to said another end ofsaid inductor and said second port, and at another end to said thirdport.
 19. The power inserter module of claim 18, further including: saidfirst capacitor being enclosed by said RF shield proximate said firstport; and said second capacitor being located between said RF shield andsaid second and third ports.
 20. The power inserter module of claim 19,further including: said inductor being located between said radiationshield and said second port.
 21. The power inserter module of claim 18,further including: said first capacitor being enclosed by said RF shieldproximate said first port; and said second capacitor being locatedbetween said RF shield and said second and third ports; and saidinductor being located between said radiation shield and said secondport.
 22. The power inserter of claim 18, further including: a housing;said first port being located on one end of said housing; said secondport being located on an opposing end to said one end of said housing;and said third port being located on a side of said housing between saidfirst and second ports.
 23. The power inserter module of claim 15,further including: a housing; said first port being located on one sideof said housing; said second and third ports being located on anopposite side of said housing in spaced apart relationship.
 24. Thepower inserter module of claim 23, wherein said housing consists ofelectrically conductive material.
 25. The power inserter of claim 23,wherein said first and second electrical circuit means are locatedwholly within said housing.
 26. The power inserter of claim 15, whereinsaid RF radiation shield consists of ferromagnetic material.
 27. A powerinserter module, comprising: a first port configured for directelectrical connection therefrom to a source of DC power, without use ofelectrical cable; a second port configured for connection to an RFamplifier to provide the DC power thereto and receive RF signalstherefrom; a third port configured for connection to a subscriber'sdevice for delivering said RF signals thereto; first electrical circuitmeans for both electrically connecting the DC power from said first portto said second port, while blocking the RF signals received at saidsecond port from being applied to said first port; second electricalcircuit means for both electrically connecting the RF signals from saidsecond port to said third port, while blocking the DC power fromelectrical connection from the first port from reaching said third port;a source of reference potential; said first electrical circuit meansincludes: an inductor having one end connected to said first port, andanother end connected to said second port; a first capacitor having oneend directly connected to said one end of said inductor and said firstport, and having another end connected to said source of referencepotential; said second electrical circuit means includes: a secondcapacitor directly connected at one end to said another end of saidinductor and said second port, and at another end to said third port; anRF radiation shield positioned for blocking the transmission of RFradiation occurring in the vicinity of said second and third ports fromreaching said first port; said first capacitor being enclosed by said RFshield proximate said first port; and said second capacitor beinglocated between said RF shield and said second and third ports.
 28. Thepower inserter module of claim 27, further including: said first portbeing an FIC male port; said second port being a female port; and saidthird port being an F-type female port.
 29. The power inserter module ofclaim 27, further including: said inductor being located between saidradiation shield and said second port.
 30. The power inserter module ofclaim 27, further including: a housing; said first port being located onone side of said housing; said second and third ports being located onan opposite side of said housing in spaced apart relationship.
 31. Thepower inserter module of claim 30, wherein said housing consists ofelectrically conductive material.
 32. The power inserter of claim 30,wherein said first and second electrical circuit means are locatedwholly within said housing.
 33. The power inserter of claim 27, whereinsaid RF radiation shield consists of ferromagnetic material.
 34. Thepower inserter of claim 27, further including: a housing; said firstport being located on one end of said housing; said second port beinglocated on an opposing end to said one end of said housing; and saidthird port being located on a side of said housing between said firstand second ports.
 35. A power inserter module, comprising: a first portconfigured for direct electrical connection therefrom to a source of DCpower, without use of electrical cable; a second port configured forconnection to an RF amplifier to provide the DC power thereto andreceive RF signals therefrom; a third port configured for connection toa subscriber's device for delivering said RF signals thereto; firstelectrical circuit means for both electrically connecting the DC powerfrom said first port to said second port, while blocking the RF signalsreceived at said second port from being applied to said first port;second electrical circuit means for both electrically connecting the RFsignals from said second port to said third port, while blocking the DCpower from electrical connection from the first port from reaching saidthird port; a source of reference potential; said first electricalcircuit means includes: an inductor having one end connected to saidfirst port, and another end connected to said second port; a firstcapacitor having one end directly connected to said one end of saidinductor and said first port, and having another end connected to saidsource of reference potential; said second electrical circuit meansincludes: a second capacitor directly connected at one end to saidanother end of said inductor and said second port, and at another end tosaid third port; an RF radiation shield positioned for blocking thetransmission of RF radiation occurring in the vicinity of said secondand third ports from reaching said first port; said first capacitorbeing enclosed by said RF shield proximate said first port; said secondcapacitor being located between said RF shield and said second and thirdports; and said inductor being located between said radiation shield andsaid second port.
 36. The power inserter module of claim 35, furtherincluding: said first port being an FIC male port; said second portbeing a female port; and said third port being an F-type female port.37. The power inserter of claim 35, further including: a housing; saidfirst port being located on one side of said housing; said second andthird ports being located on an opposite side of said housing in spacedapart relationship.
 38. The power inserter module of claim 37, whereinsaid housing consists of electrically conductive material.
 39. The powerinserter of claim 37, wherein said first and second electrical circuitmeans are located wholly within said housing.
 40. The power inserter ofclaim 39, further including: the RF radiation shield located within saidhousing.
 41. The power inserter of claim 35, wherein said RF radiationshield consists of ferromagnetic material.
 42. The power inserter ofclaim 35, further including: a housing; said first port being located onone end of said housing; said second port being located on an opposingend to said one end of said housing; and said third port being locatedon a side of said housing between said first and second ports.